Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Protecting the Northern Santa Lucia

VWA Trail Crew
Black Cone Trail Worktrip

Six members of the VWA Trail Crew enjoyed perfectly wonderful fall weather on the first of several Black Cone Trail expeditions scheduled for this season, and they took full advantage of it to get plenty of work done. Beginning at the Black Cone/Pine Ridge junction, the crew spent three full days deep in the heart of the Ventana high country cutting back ceanothus, grubbing out manzanita and scrub oak burls, and reworking the trail tread southward toward Strawberry. Base camp was made at nearby Pine Ridge Camp, where water was handy and camping comfortable.

Below are a few photographs taken during this particular trip, hopefully showing how much fun the VWA Trail Crew has while also doing good work. If this looks like the sort of thing you'd enjoy taking part in, there will be at least two more expedition-length trips coming up this spring and we would love to have your company.

Dave works south from Pine Ridge

Mike, Neil and Dave taming the tread.
	Neil's ready for more of the hard work.

Betsy battles the BCT nemesis - wart-leaf ceanothus.

Dave, Dave, Boon, Mike and Betsy enjoy a well-earned lunch break.

A manzanita burl's-eye view of Dave and his wicked Pulsaki.

Neil, Dave and Dave caught slacking.

Boon's "out of service" at Pine Ridge Camp.

Daybreak at Pine Ridge Camp - a wonderful place to wake up.